My Sydney: The Arts-Matter Founders Share a Love of Beachside Dining and Rich Cultural Experiences
An “unbeatable” Bondi institution and a “sublimely decadent” Coogee spot are top of the list for Susan Armstrong and Michelle Grey, founders of community and creative studio Arts-Matter.
by Emma Joyce · BroadsheetIf there’s an artist that represents Sydney it’s the vibrant and vivacious local legend Ken Done, say Susan Armstrong and Michelle Grey. The pair are the founders of creative community platform Arts-Matter, which runs workshops, tours, dinners and studio visits in Sydney, among other artistic collaborations.
They’ve programmed more than 100 events in the last three years, including collaborations with high-profile artists like Done at venues such as Shell House, Ace Hotel and Intercontinental Sydney. They also publish print magazine A-M Journal; the first issue was launched – and sold out – earlier this year.
“Susan and I are both avid consumers of culture – from art to dance, music, theatre, fashion and literature,” says Grey. “We [started Arts-Matter] to create a community where people could coalesce around their shared curiosity for discovering the richness of our creative landscape.”
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Armstrong has lived in Watsons Bay for a decade, and Grey moved back to Sydney after almost two decades in New York about four years ago. Here they tell us their favourite places to eat and drink around Sydney.
Hi Susan and Michelle! Tell us a bit about yourselves.
SA: I live in Watsons Bay and have been here for more than 10 years now. I love it here, there are multiple swim spots and I’m a regular at the kiosk at Camp Cove. We’re out so much for work it’s nice to live somewhere that feels a little removed.
MG: I lived in New York for 17 years and moved home four years ago. After feeling like I was living in a polar vortex, I still can’t get enough of the beach since returning to Sydney. The sun, sand and salt is the perfect elixir to any kind of life stress. If I’m not in the ocean, then I’m likely ferrying my kids around, or visiting one of Sydney’s many galleries or art institutions.
What do you love about Sydney?
SA: Being so close to the water – it’s pretty obvious but it really is the best equaliser. I am a Sydney gal, so my family are here and all the people I’ve known forever.
MG: There are so many interesting cultural events happening in Sydney – from art shows to food fairs, music and dance. After being in NY for so long, where everything feels transactional and so much of a grind, I love the laid-back friendly attitude of Sydneysiders. In our line of work, there’s no reason that we can’t be having fun most of the time.
Do you have a favourite restaurant?
SA: Sean’s in Bondi for the roast chicken – but everything is always delicious.
MG: My latest fav is Tanuki, a Japanese restaurant in Double Bay. The cocktails are delicious and the food doesn’t disappoint. I went last week with my family and ordered every steak dish on the menu. And, of course, the interiors are beautiful, and the art is pretty good too (we curated it).
Where do you go for coffee?
SA: Camp Cove Kiosk.
MG: I’m not a big coffee drinker, but I love tea. You can’t beat the matcha tea and dessert at Juan in Redfern.
Where do you go when you want to impress someone?
SA: Icebergs is unbeatable. Having a drink standing on the balcony, with the waves crashing underneath you, is pretty special. Maurice is the best host in town and the whole team is super impressive.
MG: I’m not really one for going to super fancy restaurants, but if we have out-of-town guests we take them to Mimi’s in Coogee. The views at sunset are incredible, and a bump of caviar and a shot of vodka seems sublimely decadent.
Where do you go to escape the city?
SA: We have family in the Blue Mountains, so it’s nice to head there for a weekend of fresh air and fireplaces. Although, to be honest, it’s pretty quiet where I live when it’s not peak season, so it feels like an escape simply having a weekend at home.
MG: I know this doesn’t seem super original, but I love a good family surfing trip to Byron Bay. The food is amazing, the weather is often better than Sydney (especially on the shoulder seasons), and the long waves at the Pass are unbeatable.
What’s underrated in our city?
SA: Winter. It’s cold for about two weeks then back to sunny, business-as-usual blue skies.
MG: Of course, the beaches are a major selling point, but there is a rich creative community (and not just our Oscar-winning actors) that is often overlooked, but definitely worth celebrating.
What makes Sydney a better place?
SA: The landscape. Nature wins every time.
MG: I feel like there’s a theme here, but what makes Sydney a better place is the sun, surf and sand. Other than that, the city’s creative spirit and people are what make it really unique.
Is there an essential Sydney book or song?
SA: INXS, Need You Tonight.
MG: We’ve collaborated on a few things with Ken Done over the last few years. His recent book Ken Done: Art Design Life is a tome of iconic paintings and drawings. His style is instantly recognisable, and his work and ethos so beautifully represents our sunny city.
“My Sydney” is a regular column discovering the places and spaces that captivate and entice Sydney’s well-known residents.